Current weather

Variety in children's movies

Leo Cotlar wants his 12-year-old son to know that children's cinema doesn't begin with "Shrek the Third" and end with "Ratatouille."

"Of course, we don't have anything against those movies," Cotlar says.

Cotlar, a native of Argentina, organized his "Fresh Look" Athens International Film Festival for Children and Youth to offer an alternative to the kids' movies that play at the multi-plexes.

Cotlar hopes the festival's films, which originate from countries all over the world, including Russia, Ethiopia and South Korea, will give children an understanding of cultures different than their own.

In the Kenyan short drama "Kibera Kid," for instance, a 12-year-old orphan must choose whether or not to join a gang. The Spanish animated short "Cytoplasms in Acid Environment" depicts complete boredom, while the Canadian animated short "Asma Tech" follows Winston, who copes with his chronic asthma by drawing a fantasy world.

More than 20 family-friendly films will be shown at the festival. Movies shown at 11 a.m. on Dec. 1 and at 2 p.m. on Dec. 2 are geared toward ages 5 and older. These short films will rely on visuals, not subtitles, to tell the story and have easy-to-comprehend themes and appropriate messages.

The movies shown at 2 and 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 1 and at 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 are designated for children 10-years-old or older. Films from non-English speaking countries will have subtitles.

Parents of the pint-size filmgoers don't need to bring a magazine to keep themselves entertained.

"The movies are not only for kids," Cotlar says. "It's fun for all ages."